Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

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Introduction

The first ‘Beatus vir’ is one of the most attractive and inspired settings of the Selva morale and one of the few sacred works of Monteverdi’s later years that has become widely known. The musical setting is constructed in three sections: A (verses 1 to 4), B (verses 5 to 8), A1 (verse 9) plus the Gloria Patri. The two A sections are an elaboration on a large scale of the music that Monteverdi had earlier invented for a slight, but very charming canzonetta for two voices and violins, ‘Chiome d’oro’ (Hair of gold) included in his seventh book of madrigals (1619). They are set over a ‘walking’ bass using recurring patterns of notes (though not quite a ground bass) of a kind that became popular in Venetian song-books of the 1620s and ’30s. And as if this were not enough to bind the texture, Monteverdi also repeats the opening phrase ‘Beatus vir’ or, in its fuller form ‘Beatus vir qui timet Dominum’ as a refrain. In the second A section he produces particularly vivid musical images of the wicked man, his desires thwarted, gnashing his teeth in angry envy of the (admittedly rather smug) righteous and blessed man. In the B section of the setting, perhaps prompted by the initial image of happiness, Monteverdi changes to triple time and a new set of bass patterns; again, not quite a ground bass, but with recognizable repetitions.

Recordings

'This is life-enhancing stuff, breathtakingly exciting at times, exquisitely beautiful at others. If King and his forces maintain the standard they se ...'The King's Consort shows complete affinity with both the dramatic and the lyrical aspects of Monteverdi's style. No ensemble could be better suited t ...» More

A treasure-trove of outstanding motets, including works by Bach, Buxtehude, Gabrieli, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Palestrina, Schütz and Sweelinck. All performed by the Cambridge Singers at their sensuous and virtuosic best.» More

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion: surely he shall not be moved for ever. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, his heart is established: he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor: his righteousness endureth for ever: his horn will be exalted in glory. The wicked shall see it and be grieved, he shall gnash with his teeth and waste away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion: surely he shall not be moved for ever. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, his heart is established: he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor: his righteousness endureth for ever: his horn will be exalted in glory. The wicked shall see it and be grieved, he shall gnash with his teeth and waste away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion: surely he shall not be moved for ever. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, his heart is established: he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor: his righteousness endureth for ever: his horn will be exalted in glory. The wicked shall see it and be grieved, he shall gnash with his teeth and waste away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.